Through My Eyes

Assalamu Alaikum. My name is Yadira and my husband is Nadir. I am completely blind and my husband is legally blind. We've been married for eight years and we have three beautiful children. I was raised Catholic, and I met my now husband a few years before I took my shahada. Coming to Islam has been the biggest blessing in my life. I found my husband, and along with him, came a wonderful family. My in-laws have treated me as their own daughter, and for that, I am extremely grateful. Through Islam, I was blessed with my beautiful children.

Alas, Allah's bounty and mercy have undeniably been immense, and I'm certainly humbled by this. Yet, I found that upon converting, I was at a loss as to where to acquire information on this incredible deen I had now embraced. I found myself asking to read an English translation of the holy Quran, books of the prophets, books on Ahadith, or any books that could provide me with further insight on my new found religion. However, I was always told to simply listen to audio recordings of the information I was requesting. In fact, this response still rings true to date. Now, as helpful as my fellow Muslims were attempting to be, they did not seem to comprehend the importance of being able to offer literature on Islam in braille to the blind Muslim community.

Above is a smiling image of the founders of Islam by Touch Yadira and Nadir. They are standing side by side in a couples half hug wearing black attire.

A Priceless Gift

Yadira, wearing a purple hijab and black dress is reading brail.

One of the greatest gifts we have been endowed with is the gift of literacy. To be able to read means to be able to encounter worlds beyond our reality and daily musings. Being able to read means to be able to expand our imaginations to unexplored Heights. Above all however, having the ability to read for oneself, means possessing the choice to fill our minds with limitless knowledge. Of course, it isn't to say that listening to books and lectures does not induce its own unique and enriching experience, but to be presented with a choice to read for oneself provides A chance for deeper reflection and connection to The facts and stories being absorbed.

Enabling the blind Muslim members of the community the opportunity to read Islamic literature in braille would allow for the same choice to be held as every sighted counterpart. Extending this recourse would permit the opportunity at being engrossed deeply into Islam. It would give the chance to contribute to the community on a meaningful and profound level. The availability and accessibility of Islamic texts would solidify blind Muslims as validated members of the Ummah, and that is exactly what my husband and I are striving to facilitate for all our blind brothers and sisters in Islam.